2010 – Sammy Hagar on Sharing Chickenfoot Drummer with Chili Peppers, Autobiography
Chickenfoot is four songs and “seven pieces of new music” into its second album, according to frontman Sammy Hagar. But he acknowledges there’s some concern about keeping that not-so-old gang of theirs together.
The challenge is drummer Chad Smith and his regular gig with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who are currently writing for the follow-up to 2006′s “Stadium Arcadium.” “Once they start recording, Chad’s never going to be able to get a break,” Hagar tells Billboard.com. “If he does, he’ll get a couple weeks here, a couple days there, which is not really enough to devote to Chickenfoot. And when they’re done with [the album] they’re gonna go on the road for a year and a half. So we either have to get a new drummer or wait for Chad…which is unfair to Chickenfoot. It’s too good a band.”
But Hagar says he, Smith and rest of Chickenfoot — guitarist Joe Satriani and founding Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony — are not frustrated by the situation. “We care, but at the same time [Chickenfoot] is not mandatory,” Hagar explains. “It’s not like we feel like, ‘Hey, this is our only chance in life.’ Everyone’s already been there, done that. Chickenfoot is not our bread and butter, and I think that’s really important.”
Chickenfoot will play together again on Sept. 10 in Indio, Calif., and Sept. 11 in Stateline, Nev. Hagar says the group had plans to hit the studio after that but things are “kind of up in the air.”
However, the frontman is stoked by the material he and Satriani are writing, including the four songs Chickenfoot has already worked on as a quartet. “We probably have a record ready to go,” Hagar reports. “It’s just waiting for when we can all get together to do it” — a process also complicated by the Oct. 5 release of Satriani’s next album, “Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards,” and a three-plus month world tour that starts Oct. 16 in Ireland and comes to North America in December.
Meanwhile, Hagar and his band the Wabos are currently supporting Aerosmith. He has no recording plans of his own at the moment but is working on an autobiography, “Red,” with San Francisco music journalist Joel Selvin that he promises will be “really revealing, right down to just about everything you’d want to know” — including his tenures in Montrose and Van Halen.
“I figure there’s only one shot at an autobiography, and you’ve got to tell the story, as much as it may be painful,” says Hagar, who has made two previous attempts at his memoirs. “I really believe there’s a lot of people out there that really have no idea where I came from and who I really am. I’ve never been a press junkie, and I think that’s a good thing. So I think the book is going to blow people’s minds.”
Read our Review of Van Halen Guitar Hero on Sony PS3 From Activision.
The undeniable success of Beatles Rock Band and Metallica Guitar Hero has shown that rhythm action games that celebrate the works of one band can be fun, entertaining and profitable. I mean, who wouldn’t want to breeze through a rendition of ‘Here Comes the Sun’ with a few friends or to rip it up with a run through of the heavy metal stormer ‘Battery’ with some boozed up buddies. So when Activision announced they were bringing out a Guitar Hero dedicated to Van Halen, I couldn’t help but wonder why?
Do people even listen to Van Halen anymore? Their brand of stadium filling 80s ‘cock-rock’ seems about as irrelevant to today’s musical climate as you can get. Even at their heyday they only had a handful of decent tunes, surely not enough to dedicate an entire game to on the already bloated Guitar Hero franchise. So why does this game exist at all? Can there really be enough die-hard Van Halen fans in the world to financially support this release? Even with the vast amounts of non-Halen filler songs that litter this game (tenuously chosen by the young 17 year old Wolfgang Van Halen and consisting mainly of awful pop-punk and middle of the road American rock) it is hard to imagine anyone caring enough to pay full whack for what, content wise, would have been better suited as a download pack rather than a full release.
Perhaps instead the game is some kind of vanity project for the band who, not content to slip quietly into dignified obscurity, demanded to see themselves rendered up there on the digital stage along with the Beatles and Metallica. I suppose there is some slight appeal in seeing four spandex-clad hairspray addicts rock out to ‘Hot For Teacher’, but alas, even this most minor and dubious of pleasures is denied to us as the developers have chosen to recreate the band as they are now; middle-aged, creaky and most importantly devoid of the signature big 80s hair that is synonymous with their music, a completely baffling choice.
Having said all this, it is worth noting that despite the apparently questionable reasons for its existence, Van Halen Guitar Hero remains a fun rhythm action game at its heart. It is no different in its feel from any of its peers and has the same expertly tailored difficulty levels and sense of solo-satisfaction as any of a similar ilk. Some stand out songs (White Wedding, Jump) capture the feel-good factor of Guitar hero at its best but don’t really bring anything new to the table. It is a sad thing when the most redeeming feature of a new game is that it hasn’t deviated from a tried and tested formula and this unfortunately is Van Halen Guitar Hero’s only success, as the lack of any decent Van Halen specific content, (as is so evident in the Beatles and Metallica games) and the high quantity of below average filler songs make this game very poor value for money. A very badly thought out release.
2010 – First Post-Flood Gibson USA Guitar Presented to Slash
On the heels of a worldwide jaunt across the globe celebrating his first solo album release, legendary guitarist Slash was presented with a very special “first guitar” from the world’s premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology, Gibson USA. The story of the American icon’s recovery and resurgence from the May 2010 floods in Nashville was presented with strong testament in West Hollywood, California at the Key Club on Monday, August 20, 2010, where Slash was presented with the very first guitar to roll off the production line since the devastating floods hit Music City. The guitar, a Gibson Les Paul Studio, came off the production line in July, 90 days after the flood, and was kept on display at the plant for all employees to view prior to it being given to signature artist Slash.
Gibson Guitar was also an official sponsor of the Sunset Music Festival supporting the rock legend Slash on Thursday, August 26, 2010 during an official citywide proclamation in West Hollywood that declared it officially “Slash Day.” Slash was honored at a special tribute at the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard for his extraordinary contribution to the rock-and-roll legacy which is the Sunset Strip. Gibson GuitarTown has been installed along the Sunset Strip with a prominent centerpiece of the exhibit being a ten-foot tall Gibson guitar sculpture uniquely themed “Slash.”
2010 – Due to illness and under doctor’s orders, Jackson Browne will not be able to perform his show in Buffalo, NY at the Shea Performing Arts Center scheduled for tonight, August 30, 2010. Efforts are being made to reschedule, and at his time, his tour will resume on September 1, 2010. Refunds available at point of purchase. Ok conspiracy buffs. Justin Bieber also cancelled a New York state appearance “Due to illness and under doctor’s orders”. Coincidence? We’ll wait for someone to start a blog and somehow link these two together.
2010 – Axl Rose declares ‘war’ on promoters as Guns N’ Roses headline Leeds Festival
Singer says ‘f^^k you’ to festival chiefs as band make it to Main Stage…
Axl Rose described the feud between him and the Reading And Leeds Festivals organisers as a “war”, as Guns N’ Roses headlined Leeds Festival tonight (August 29).
The band started their set half an hour later than their scheduled kick-off time, arriving on stage at 9:30pm (BST). At the end of the main part of their set, after ‘Nightrain’, they returned to the stage and the frontman claimed that the promoters were cutting their set short.
“We would like to play a few more songs for you tonight,” Rose said. “But someone is telling us the show’s over. This war ain’t over yet.” He made the comment at around 11:20pm, and also claimed that he had been told they could play until 11:58pm. They then played ‘Paradise City’ for their one-song encore.
After the show Reading And Leeds Festivals boss Melvin Benn told NME that Guns N’ Roses had not been given the OK to play until 11:58pm. “I have no idea where that came from,” he said. “I was behind the sound equipment so I couldn’t actually hear what he said. Bands often say things like that when they are curtailed.”
The scenes followed the band’s performance at the Reading Festival on Friday, when they came on an hour late and organisers pulled the plug on their set as they were about to break the noise curfew. That night the band staged a protest by attempting to play without amplification, with Rose telling the crowd that they were not planning to head to Leeds.
Up until the encore, despite the late start, the Leeds show went ahead without any controversial incidents taking place, with the group attracting a huge crowd.
Rose made several costume changes throughout, switching from a silver jacket to a black one, a purple one, a red checked jacket with a cowboy hat, then a gaudy white jacket, and finally a white sleeveless top.
After ‘Paradise City’ the band then went to the front of the stage and bowed, with Rose saying: “Be safe getting out of here. And for the problems with the promoters, fuck you.”
Benn played down the “war” comment, saying he would actually consider booking the band again. “I’d definitely book them again but I don’t know if they’d come and play,” he said. “I doubt I’ll be getting a Christmas card from them, which is a shame because tonight was great. There are rules we have to abide by here in the UK, they’re very clear rules. It’s not personal, I think the band are great. Why would I make it personal?”
Guns N’ Roses played:
‘Chinese Democracy’
‘Welcome To The Jungle’
‘It’s So Easy’
‘Mr Brownstone’
‘Sorry’
‘Richard Fortus Guitar Solo’
‘Live And Let Die’
‘This I Love’
‘Rocket Queen’
‘Dizzy Reed Piano Solo’
‘Street Of Dreams’
‘You Could Be Mine’
‘DJ Ashba Guitar Solo’
‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’
‘Instrumental Jam’
‘Axl Rose Piano Solo’
‘November Rain’
‘Bumblefoot Guitar Solo’
‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’
‘Nightrain’
‘Paradise City’
Comment: ‘Axl Rose: Hero or Idiot?’ You decide.
NME is coming live from both sites at Reading And Leeds Festivals this weekend. Head to NME.COM/festivals for full coverage including news, reviews, videos and picture galleries.
Plus make sure you buy next week’s issue of NME to get the definitive review of Reading And Leeds Festivals, either on UK newsstands from September 1 or digitally worldwide.
2010 – Serj Tankian says System of a Down have discussed how to deal with a potential reunion – and even though they haven’t agreed whether or when to do it, they know how they’ll tell the world.
The singer eels he’s been misquoted in stories which say he’s working on a jazz album, and System fans are underestimated when it comes to understanding his solo career.
Tankian tells Rock Radio’s Andrew Watson: “I’m not working on a jazz album at all. My album is orchestral rock, a very different thing. I’ve written a jazz opera, though, and it will open in Cambridge, Massachusetts, soon. It’s two different things.
“I’m asked if I think System fans might be bewildered with the solo work I’m doing. That’s not giving our fans enough credit. They like more than just heavy metal music – so do most people. So they’ll find it quite easy to get my music, and come with me if they want to.”
SOAD bassist Shavo Odadjian last week hinted a reunion could be on the cards, even though Tankian has commented he’s happy with his solo work. But he confirms the subject has been raised.
The frontman says: “If we decide to do it, the first people to find out will be our fans, on the website. We’ve all agreed that as a band.”
Rock Radio broadcasts a Reading/Leeds special this afternoon (Sunday, August 29) at 2pm, with Rock DJ Tom Russell presenting some of the bands playing this year while looking back at acts who have appeared in the past.
2010 – As reported before, Carlos Santana‘s new album “GUITAR HEAVEN” will feature his version of Leppard’s “PHOTOGRAPH”, with Chris Daughtry on vocals. The album won’t be out until September 21st, but here’s a sneak peek of the song shot during a special showcase live show in Las Vegas last week.
2010 – Michael Jackson is most downloaded artist of all time: Report
LONDON: ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson has become the most downloaded artist of all time and is most popular in India, according to a new report.
The ‘Thriller’ hitmaker, who died of a drug overdose aged 50 last June, is the world’s most popular solo star, ahead of the likes of Lady Gaga, Elvis Presley, the Black Eyed Peas and Rihanna according to download records from Nokia’s Ovi Music Store.
Musicologist Geoff Roberts believes the singer’s birthday which is today could be responsible for an increase in his popularity, Contactmusic reported.
“Michael Jackson has always been a pop music legend. But the anniversary of his death and upcoming birthday celebrations seem to have revived Jackson fever as fans rediscover his songs – making him the most popular solo artist of all time,” Roberts said.
Jackson is most popular in India where he accounts for 26 per cent of the country’s entire Ovi downloads, followed by the UK, Germany, Netherlands and Finland.
His 1982 single ‘Beat It’ is the most popular track at the Ovi store, with ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Thriller’ close behind.
Meanwhile Jackson’s hometown of Gary, Indiana, will mark his birthday with a party outside his childhood home.
2010 – Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Anniversary Pushes Some in Texas to Seek Memorial
NEW YORK (CBS) Twenty years after his death, a Texas community is still seeking to honor native son Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The Grammy-winning singer and guitarist died in a helicopter crash Aug.27, 1990, and is buried in his hometown of Oak Cliff, Texas, on the outskirts of Dallas.
Jeff Castro, an Oak Cliff resident who co-founded an annual tribute motorcycle ride and concert that commemorates Vaughan’s birthday in October, has long been lobbying for a memorial..
According to the Dallas Morning News, Castro approached the city about a statue and fountain in Kiest Park, where the musician hung out as a kid, but was rebuffed Others have put forward plans for permanent housing of Stevie Ray Vaughan artifacts.
Recently, when Industrial Boulevard was being renamed, some in Dallas sought that as an opportunity to honor Vaughan. But the city chose the name Riverfront.
“He was proud of telling people he was from Oak Cliff,” said local Vaughan biographer Craig Hopkins. “Even after he went to Austin, he made no bones about it.”
2010 – MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP – Guitarist Michael Schenker And Drummer Carmine Appice Perform With SCORPIONS; Video Footage Available
Hot Flashes
Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 06:53:38 EST
Guitarist Michael Schenker (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, UFO, SCORPIONS) and drummer Carmine Appice (MSG, VANILLA FUDGE, OZZY OSBOURNE) performed with the Scorpions in Rosemont, IL on stage on August 21st at the Rosemont Theatre. Fan-filmed footage of Schenker performing ‘Another Piece Of Meat’ and Appice playing ‘No One Like You’ is available below.
2010 – MUSTAINE: I Don’t Want To Repair My Relationship With METALLICA. I’d Like To Have A New One – Aug. 21, 2010
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine and SLAYER guitarist Kerry King took part in a joint interview for the September/October 2010 issue of Revolver magazine. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
Revolver: You both recently took part in the seven Sonisphere “Big Four” shows in Europe with METALLICA and ANTHRAX. What was that like?
King: It was one of those rare moments when everything comes off even better than you expected.
Mustaine: It was awesome. It was just like back in the day when we were all just four young bands getting to know each other and hanging out. The first time I went onstage [in Warsaw], James [Hetfield, METALLICA guitarist/vocalist] was up on my side and did that little knuckle-punch thing with me. It was a really cool moment.
Revolver: Was it awkward to share a bill with METALLICA, the band you cofounded and were later kicked out of?
Mustaine: No, it was exciting. We’ve all wanted this to happen for a long time, and METALLICA finally decided the time was right. Before the first show they threw a dinner for the bands, and I went up to James and said, “I don’t want to repair our relationship. I’d like to have a new one.” And that’s pretty much what I said to Kerry when I saw him in Japan. I mean, we’re all older now. Back then, I said stuff that was regrettable and I’ve grown up a lot.
King: I kind of think of this as ground zero. This is our new starting point. Let’s go from here and try to learn each other again.
Revolver: Will the “Big Four” tour be coming to the United States?
King: That’s the first thing I said to James when I saw him. I went, “Dude, if this goes well, there’s no reason to gyp the rest of the world. Everybody else wants to see this show, too.”
Mustaine: All of our camps have talked, and Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] flat-out said to me that he wants this to keep going. He talked about it going on next year. And our agents say there is talk about this happening in 2012. So everyone’s talking about it now. It’s just a matter of making it happen.
2010 – OZZY OSBOURNE
RELEASES “LIFE WON’T WAIT,”
THE SECOND SINGLE FROM
HIS WORLDWIDE SMASH ALBUM ‘SCREAM’
THE VIDEO FOR THE SONG IS BEING DIRECTED
BY JACK OSBOURNE
FIRST-EVER OZZY iTUNES APP
AVAILABLE NOW
As OZZY OSBOURNE gears up for the August 14 launch of the 2010 OZZFest, the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has released “Life Won’t Wait,” the second single from his worldwide smash Epic Records album SCREAM, which entered the charts in June in the Top Ten in more than 10 countries. The video for the hard-hitting and melodic life-affirming song is being directed by OZZY’s son, Jack Osbourne, and it was shot last week at various locations in Los Angeles.
At the same time, OZZY’s first-ever official free iTunes app–simply called OZZY–is available now and allows fans to enter the world of The Prince of Darkness. Users can experience music from OZZY’s 30-year solo career with access to a full discography featuring direct links to his iTunes page for a one-stop link to purchase of any song or album from his catalog. In addition, once downloaded, users can view music videos and photo galleries, access OZZY’s current concert dates and buy tickets for upcoming shows, or can instantly post comments and photos from shows they’ve just attended. A built-in fan wall also allows users to communicate with each other and search (by location) to find fellow OZZY fans in their town. The OZZY app is fully integrated with his official Twitter feed and has direct links to all of his other social networking sites as well as Ozzy’s official online store.
SCREAM is OZZY’s first album in three years and 10th studio album overall. He recorded most of it at his Los Angeles home studio, The Bunker. It was produced by OZZY and Kevin Churko, both of whom did the same honors for OZZY’s 2007 worldwide million-seller Black Rain. OZZY co-wrote all the songs on SCREAM, primarily with Churko. First single “Let Me Hear You Scream” hit #1 on both Active Rock charts (for two weeks) and #1 at Mainstream Rock (for 11 weeks). “Life Won’t Wait” is being cited in various reviews as one of the album’s standout tracks.
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